2011 SLK Revealed - Offical Press Release

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

KillerHERTZ

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
May 21, 2003
Messages
19,222
Location
Cambs
Car
SL63 AMG
The all-new 2012 SLK Roadster

Passion meets efficiency

The all-new SLK-Class, one of the most exciting and successful sports cars ever built, is entering its third generation. The 2012MY roadster takes driving pleasure and open-air enjoyment to the next level by blending nimble handling with stylish comfort, striking sports-car design, everyday drivability, top performance and exemplary efficiency. In addition, the 2012 SLK-Class is proud to present the world premiere of the panorama vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which switches between light and dark transparency at the touch of a button. Exemplary efficiency and athletic flair come courtesy of powerful new 4 and 6-cylinder engines With superb levels of performance, they are more fuel efficient than their predecessors and with unique new safety equipment the 2012 SLK-Class sets the new standard in this segment. With its wealth of technical innovations, the SLK is once again the benchmark in its class. The 2012 SLK-Class goes on-sale in the U.S. this summer.

"The new SLK embodies the role of the trend-setter like no other car", says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "I am convinced that with its passionate design, its high-quality interior and its modesty at the fuel station it will continue to provide an enormous amount of fun on the road in future, too, consolidating its status as a cult roadster."

Innovations are part of the successful history of the Mercedes-Benz SLK:


* In 1996, the first generation caused a sensation with the vario-roof, which transformed the wide-open roadster into a fixed-roof coupe at the touch of a button in just a few seconds.

* The second generation placed the warm AIRSCARF around the neck and shoulders of the occupants as needed, ensuring open-top enjoyment even in cooler temperatures.

* Now the third generation presents a unique highlight - the world premiere of the panorama vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which can be quickly switched to light or dark transparency at the touch of a button.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLK unites premium comfort and high-quality equipment and appointments with an especially athletic flair. At the same time the new roadster is the most fuel efficient in its class matched with segment-leading safety. All-weather driving enjoyment - open or closed, during weekends or the daily commute - is firmly anchored in the SLK's genes.

Timeless aesthetics embody hallmark sports-car sensuality

The designers have tailor-made a body for the new SLK that emphasizes its classic roadster proportions and puts them in the spotlight with a thrilling result. Behind the long hood is a compact passenger compartment and a short rear overhang. The SLK will tempt potential customers with these key attributes that characterize all the classic roadsters from Mercedes-Benz.

The first eye-catching feature is an upright radiator grille that stands proud and confident in the wind and bears the new Mercedes-Benz brand look. The grille emphasizes the long and well-proportioned hood, and with its light-catching contours it already hints at the roadster's dramatic qualities. The wide radiator grille bears the Mercedes-Benz star in a prominent central position and displays a powerfully contoured chromed fin at the front. The clearly defined headlamps complete the look of the new SLK's face and resemble that of the legendary 190 SL from the 1950s, which is regarded by many as being the original "SLK". However the designers did not just focus on the past; with the new SLK's front end they also intentionally created a close visual link with the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG "gullwing model" and the new CLS.

The impressive result of this meticulously detailed work is that in spite of the more striking, steeper front and larger frontal area, the Cd value has been cut to just 0.30 - a brilliant achievement (the predecessor model's Cd value was 0.32).

The timeless, classic shape of the side profile with the classic roadster proportions embodies aesthetics of the highest caliber and is a visual cue to the sportiness and driving pleasure in store. Fine details show the care that has been taken by the Mercedes-Benz designers. For example, a molding conceals the trunk joint, so that the side line cannot get in the way, as it usually does with similar roof designs. The ventilation grilles in the front fenders with a chromed fin are reminiscent of the famous Mercedes-Benz roadsters of the 1950s. In the new SLK they form the perfect starting point for a feature line, which flows to the muscular rear fender, using light and shadow to add style and timeless aesthetics to the sides. Meanwhile the upper edge of the wide headlamps - which for the first time boast all-LED technology - also appears to flow into the feature line.

Interior with style and pure good looks


Despite the most compact dimensions in its class, the 2012 SLK has generous interior dimensions. To achieve this, the designers have developed interior appointments that offer the driver and passenger the highest degree of quality and pure precision. The interior is characterized by stylish sportiness and genuine high-quality materials which have been processed with perfect precision and skilled craftsmanship. Standard brushed aluminum trim covers the center console; wood trim can be ordered as an option in high-gloss dark brown walnut. Four round, metallic air outlets integrated in the dashboard emphasize that this model truly belongs to the Mercedes-Benz sports car family, their shape being a nod to those in the SLS.

The SLK's generous round dials are astride a display for the onboard computer. The color display for the communications and entertainment functions is housed in the center of the dashboard, and is easily read by both the driver and passenger.

Other high-quality pieces of equipment include a multifunction sports steering wheel with a flattened bottom section and a thick leather crown, plus available sun-reflecting leather that noticeably reduces seat temperature, ambient lighting

Unique equipment: MAGIC SKY CONTROL

For the first time Mercedes-Benz is offering a choice of three variants of the lightweight-construction vario-roof for the new SLK: in just a few seconds this feature transforms the roadster into a coupe with a "fixed" roof at the touch of a button - and vice versa:

* The standard version is a roof painted in the vehicle color.

* Optionally available is a panorama vario-roof with dark-tinted glass.

* The third option is a world premiere - the panorama vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. This glass roof switches to light or dark at the press of a button. In light mode it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark state the roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up from

the sun's rays. In other words: a comfortable atmosphere at the touch of a button.

Innovative AIRGUIDE wind-stop system

A comfortable alternative to the conventional wind-stop is a new pivoting wind-stop for the 2012 SLK, invented by Mercedes-Benz aerodynamics engineers. It consists of pivoting transparent plastic layers attached to the back of the roll bars. The driver or passenger can swing them to the center of the vehicle in an instant, thus taming turbulent air flow.

Spirit and efficiency

There will be two models of the 2012 SLK available in its first year, both powered by direct-injection engines. The completely redesigned V6 engine in the SLK350 develops 302 hp from its 3498 cubic-centimeter displacement, using this power to accelerate in 5.4 (est.) seconds from 0 to 60 mph (top speed 155 mph). Its fuel Later on in the model year, the SLK250 goes on-sale with a four-cylinder engine developing 201 hp from a displacement of 1796 cubic centimeters.

The SLK250 is equipped as standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and consumes an estimated 27 mpg (combined). From a standstill it reaches 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and it has a top speed of 155 mph.

Suspension for the closest relationship with the road


A sports suspension with firmer springs and dampers ensures a sporty driving experience. Additionally the Direct-Steer system offers more handling and agility while also reducing the amount of physical effort required when parking.

During spirited driving, the Torque Vectoring Brakes produce a defined rotational movement about the vertical axis of the vehicle in fractions of a second through selective brake actuation at the rear inside wheel. This results in the SLK stabilizing without any compromises, and it steers into a bend precisely and under full control.

Clever use of materials and high levels of safety

The new SLK's bodyshell has been further refined, with the hood and fenders now made of aluminum.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK also sets new benchmarks in terms of safety. The third generation of this icon will make use of a whole host of the latest assistance systems to support the driver, including the drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST, developed by Mercedes-Benz and fitted as standard equipment. Available through special order is DISTRONIC PLUS with PRE-SAFE¨ Brake, which can autonomously apply the brakes in the event of an impending safety requirements.

Those wishing to do so can extend the host of assistance systems in the new SLK even further:

* The Intelligent Light System provides five lighting functions (cornering light function, country mode, motorway mode, active light function and enhanced fog lamps), which are activated depending on the driving conditions

* The Speed Limit Assist is able to detect speed limit signs using a camera on the inside of the windscreen and indicate the respective detected speed limit on a display in the instrument cluster

The new SLK can be ordered from 17 January 2011. The prices including VAT are as follows:

SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY: 38,675 euros,
SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY: 44,256.10 euros,
SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY: 52,300.50 euros.

To mark the launch of the new SLK, Mercedes-Benz is offering an "Edition 1" special model with the special paint finish SHAPE in glacier grey. The "Edition 1" is opulently appointed and its standard specification includes the panoramic vario-roof, the Dynamic Handling package, AMG bodystyling, two-tone designo nappa leather with contrasting topstitching, AIRSCARF, ambient lighting and more. The additional charges range from 8490 to 8990 euros, depending on the base model.

The 2012 SLK-Class makes its U.S. showroom debut in summer 2011.

2083327201454020262.jpg


586457581825905172.jpg


14271822812118745363.jpg


1329057425372210496.jpg


4474649981191858583.jpg


1046261006653918102.jpg


9504795131378802.jpg


12155564461610363615.jpg


1530821589195381367.jpg


1607818537946524757.jpg


143918857944876542.jpg


20635390252030703191.jpg


5298116601927888882.jpg
 
Last edited:
Cant say I like the taillights, and the bootlid is very Z4 but otherwise very nice!
 
proportions all right.

elegance of the Gen 1 all gone

grill is far too big for the car.

not pretty at all
 
I can't make my mind up really.. I'd have to see one in person, loved my 171 350 though.

Quite like how for the front parktronic sensors - the central two are mounted in the grille rather than having a chunk bored out in the thinner part of the bumper and mounted there.

Not sure on the brake cooling ducts whether they're there for visual or functional purposes I always thought that was something that should be reserved for the full-on firebreathing AMG variants.
 
Above pics are not displaying for me at the moment, but I saw it on the cover of Autocar and I do like it.
 
the rear is abit weird, but the front is great i just feel the old SLR type bonnet on the old one was a stunner
 
I'm unconvinced. It looks slightly wrong. The front has become anonymous, the rear bulbous. It's lost its character:(

I really hope it looks better in the flesh than it does in pictures. I hope my disappointment is premature, I'm not inclined yet ro replace my SLK with this new one, so far.
 
From some angles the rear flank resembles the Boxster, from others the Z3. The top of the bonnet into the A pillar strongly resembles the first SLK. The front is just too big for the car, and I continue to find that corporate grille brutish. For the first time I think the BMW beats it for looks.
 
I still hate those slash cut door mirrors .........

A nice used SL350 or a new SLK350 ......... mmm
 
Looks just like the last one with 204 lights grafted on, a scaled down SLS interior put in and a big grille on it.

Nice enough, but not a classic.

PS is it me or are the mirrors mounted too far back on the door?
 
Damn those pedestrian crash regulations.

Front overhand too long.

Bonnet too high

Too much metal over the front wheels

BUT

Nice wheels. Nice front and rear aspects even if the side profile is a bit clumsy.

Doens't make me want one any more than the current version though the dials and interior look nice.

Is there going to be a diseasel?
 
I'm unconvinced. It looks slightly wrong. The front has become anonymous, the rear bulbous. It's lost its character:(

I really hope it looks better in the flesh than it does in pictures. I hope my disappointment is premature, I'm not inclined yet ro replace my SLK with this new one, so far.

That's pretty much what I'd have posted myself. Ultimately, whether or not I migrate will come down to whether I like it when I see in the metal, and in various colours.

The thing that strikes me about the exterior styling is that it's all a bit too fussy. It seems to have developed ledges here, there and everywhere - along the upper edge of the sills; where the upper edge of the rear bumper meets the tail lights; even beneath the section of the front bumper that holds the parking sensors. This last point reminds me of the way the C63AMG's front bumper is full of unnecessary styling tweaks that seem to empahsise the point that it's essentially just a large lump of moulded plastic. Less would have been more.

On a similar note, I'm also disappointed to see that all models pictured seem to have the AMG-style split-fairing on the sill panels - never understood the appeal of this, and it looks like it now comes as standard.

Next gripe is the pronounced kink in the upper edge of the body line above the rear wheel arch, which looks clumsy to my eyes. One of the most impressive things about the R170/171 cars was that, unlike just about every other hard-top convertible, their rear styling didn't look as though it had been compromised to accommodate the roof when folded. This one does, a bit.

I'm less concerned about the frontal styling, as I think the grille will seem less prominent as this kind of styling becomes more commonplace - not just within the MB range but across all manufacturers - to comply with passenger safety legislation. I recall the derision with which the W210's "round-headlamp" styling was greeted when it was new, with accusations that MB had tried to ape Jaguar but got it badly wrong, yet nowadays there are those who mourn the passing of the "traditional" round-headlamp look on the C, E and SL classes; not me, I hasten to add.

I quite like the R172's twin-lamp arrangement (was going to say twin-headlamp, but presumably the inner pair are foglamps/cornering lamps), as it lends the car a little more substance. Not quite worked out why the door mirrors have been mounted on the door panel, unless it's to remove the slight forward blind-spot the previous mounting could cause in a few situations.

The interior - and in particular, the equipment on offer - would be the biggest incentive for me to change from my current car. Good to see that the seat controls are mounted on the door now (no more embarrassing Gillian Taylforth-style incidents trying to adjust the seat for passengers who can't find or figure out the seat-mounted controls), and it seems they now include headrest adjustment for the first time. Leather-trimmed (upper) dash is good news and long overdue - as is COMAND Online (the BMW M3 has offered internet connectivity for at least four years now, judging by a friend's 2007 model).

Also tempted by the prospect of speed-sign recognition (I know after-market sat nav units have had something similar for ages) and the dimming roof panel. Not so keen on the messy-looking instrumentation, or the design of the buttons on the steering wheel.

The plastic wind deflectors attached to the roll-over hoops seem a bit gimmicky, but if they work - and don't break off after five minutes - then fair enough. Would have been nice to see a TT-style electrically-operated glass wind-break but I suppose that would have added substantial weight.

Seems they've carried over a few niggles from the R171. I would have hoped that they'd have found a way for the vestigial rear side windows to disappear when lowered by now; and those daft little add-ons to the rear wheel arch bumper section - why not just make the thing wide enough to accommodate the tyres in the first place. And I don't suppose the SL's facillity to incline the roof while it's folded to get better access to the boot will have filtered down to the SLK yet...

Finally, I'm pleased to see that the SLK has finally had the laurel wreath badge reinstated. Didn't seem right for a Mercedes-Benz to be without it...

PS: presumably this is the US press release, with references to "hood" when they mean bonnet, and "2012" model when they mean 2011. I wonder if there's anything mentioned in it that won't be applicable to the UK market.
 
Last edited:

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom